“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world’s great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.”-Norman Maclean.
These words were etched in my mind for 10 years since I first read the book. Although I have fly fish in different countries and places I have always wanted to visit Montana.
It was a trip that I have always dream of, to visit and flyfish the state of Montana. Its not very often we get this kind of opportunity to flyfish with a group of friends in “trout country”. 6 of us from different parts of the world gather to flyfish and enjoy Montana for a long weekend.
It was the first for everyone to flyfish in Montana although some of us have been flyfishing for 10 years while there are others that are only couple of months. The adrenalin and excitement was hard to conceal in everyone. We could hardly wait for the day to arrive.
After some weary travelling across the globe, we were finally rested in the fully equipped cabin. I had a hard time falling asleep maybe due to the excitement, the jet lag and time difference. Slowly I fell into dreamland.
The smell of bacon sizzling in the pan woke me. Today is the day where we would be drifting down the BigHorn River. After a sumptuous breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast, everyone was starting to gear up waiting for the guides to pick us up.
The BigHorn River is a tailwater river with the dam above which helps to provide constant temperature and abundant insect life. The guide launches the boat and make sure everyone was comfortable before we start drifting. We were to drift the whole 13 mile of the river stopping at intervals for breaks and fishing from the banks. The weather, the scenery, the clarity of the water, everything was just perfect for a fishing day.
The guide help us rigged up the flies and guided us where we should start casting. A 2 fly setup with an indicator on, we were to drift together with the river flow keeping our eyes on the indicator bobbing on the surface of the river. It wasn’t long before we start catching fish. It was fantastic! Sound of the reel screeching was music to our ears. Our heart beat stopped every time the indicator went down. Every fish fought well, takes were aggressive. Average fish caught were 3-4lbs rainbows and browns with the occasional 6lbs hen.
The following 2 days we were on our own with 2 rented boats taking turns rowing. We did the same thing as we had done the previous day with the guide except this time we were on our own, tying our own rigs, undoing our own wind knots which somehow seems like having the guide around was so much easier. We had a fabulous time nevertheless. The laughter, the companionship, the comraderie with fly rods in arms all seeking a common goal, a Montana trout.
Trouts are amazing creatures, they are so beautiful with their speckled spots, colors and proportion, so delicate yet strong. It was just meant to be.
I have travelled halfway across the globe just so I can feel the beauty in them again. Having not fished for trout for a long time, this was like rekindling the passion, this is what flyfishing is about.
Besides the awesome fishing, we get a feel of what the “Big Sky Country” actually is, the huge expanse of the sky that stretches endlessly, the scenic mountains, the cool, clear rivers and the wildlife. Everything was just picture perfect.
A memorable 3 day at the BigHorn. Plenty of fishes caught and released. Many laughters and experience exchanged. Something to look back when we are old standing by the river alone waving the stick.
On a personal note, it may not be the Blackfoot River but it was like paying homage to Norman Maclean and I thank him again for writing such a good novel.
(Tyouty/ text)